If the college football final wasn’t going on at the same time I’d be there. My plan is to tape the gophers and watch them after. I feel like this idea would work especially well in Feb/march when football is over.I got caught up on the game/postgame finally after a long weekend of youth hockey coaching, certainly a lot to talk about with the program right now. I'll be ready to share some thoughts at Tom's Watch Bar tomorrow and will have some swag to give away to GPL'ers if you come say hi. There are also two free Duck Duck Beers to those who come as well if you don't want to say hi and just want to show up. Not sure how well our livestream of the event will work, but I'm giving it a shot.
Out of curiosity which players were on the ice for each of the 3 allowed ENGs?
As mentioned previously, the D zone work was really bad last night. It felt like we were getting beat out of the corner 1 on 1 all night. Close wasn't great but there were a lot of chances due to breakdowns.
I think the most telling moment last night was the 4 on 4 that crossed over periods. The Gophers did not control the puck once during that entire span. The Gophers should dominate in that situation.
I've been wondering the same thing all season. John played great last night, and Strobel has played well all season and gives 110% every time he gets out there. I think they could be dynamic together if given the chance.Is there a reason why they won’t try Mittlestad, Clark, Strobel? I mean not even once?
I've been wondering the same thing all season. John played great last night, and Strobel has played well all season and gives 110% every time he gets out there. I think they could be dynamic together if given the chance.Is there a reason why they won’t try Mittlestad, Clark, Strobel? I mean not even once?
Bob shouted out Mittelstadt in the post game and said he was one of only guys that played a full 60. Maybe he will finally sit Pino tonight.
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What has been wrong with Nevers this year? I thought he was playing wonderfully last year. This year, he is invisible to me. It hurts.
@boats Perhaps the head injury against Bemidji is affecting his play still?
What has been wrong with Nevers this year? I thought he was playing wonderfully last year. This year, he is invisible to me. It hurts.
Nevers is a puzzle piece. He makes some good decisions and generally plays within his game, but he's not going to score much, which is very frustrating.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of players on this team who are just not playing up to expectations. Last night, Close was below average, but so were Huglen, Kurth, Nelson, Brodzinski, Koster, Chesley, and Fish. Someone mentioned that Minnesota didn't get any puck luck last night...pfft...CC hit two pipes while Minnesota's mistakes gave CC a couple of easy goals. CC figured out that the harder they worked the luckier they got.
I bristle when I hear a coach give the shoulder shrug and suggest the players have to stew in their own juices. I don't think Minnesota plays a responsible defensive game, and a lot of that is on the coach. Aside from barely beating upstart St. Thomas twice, this team hasn't had a sweep all season long--but they've been swept at Mariucci.
This was the year that it was Minnesota who had a more mature team, full of cagey vets who hung around for "unfinished business." Somebody better tell them that, while they have talent, if they can't keep the puck out of their own net, their business is finished.
I guess if playing Strobel over Pino for a game or 2 will quiet the Pino bashing, I'm for it. To be honest, the 4th line isn't the issue.
I am far more concerned about the play of the defense. As much as Pino get bashed, Fish should be right there with him. Does he get a pass because he is the lovable kid from St Paul? The whole unit continues to make stupid plays, seem to be late to get to the puck and turn over the puck with no support behind them. The biggest problem is this team doesn't have the fire power to make up for the mistakes they make. They better come out hot tonight. I still think this team has the talent to make a run, but the clock is ticking.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I guess if playing Strobel over Pino for a game or 2 will quiet the Pino bashing, I'm for it. To be honest, the 4th line isn't the issue.
I am far more concerned about the play of the defense. As much as Pino get bashed, Fish should be right there with him. Does he get a pass because he is the lovable kid from St Paul? The whole unit continues to make stupid plays, seem to be late to get to the puck and turn over the puck with no support behind them. The biggest problem is this team doesn't have the fire power to make up for the mistakes they make. They better come out hot tonight. I still think this team has the talent to make a run, but the clock is ticking.
I agree. Fish and Koster each gave up a goal on costly blue line mishaps.
Moore, Snuggerud, Pitlick, Luke M., John M. Played with fire last night.
What has been wrong with Nevers this year? I thought he was playing wonderfully last year. This year, he is invisible to me. It hurts.
Nevers is a puzzle piece. He makes some good decisions and generally plays within his game, but he's not going to score much, which is very frustrating.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of players on this team who are just not playing up to expectations. Last night, Close was below average, but so were Huglen, Kurth, Nelson, Brodzinski, Koster, Chesley, and Fish. Someone mentioned that Minnesota didn't get any puck luck last night...pfft...CC hit two pipes while Minnesota's mistakes gave CC a couple of easy goals. CC figured out that the harder they worked the luckier they got.
I bristle when I hear a coach give the shoulder shrug and suggest the players have to stew in their own juices. I don't think Minnesota plays a responsible defensive game, and a lot of that is on the coach. Aside from barely beating upstart St. Thomas twice, this team hasn't had a sweep all season long--but they've been swept at Mariucci.
This was the year that it was Minnesota who had a more mature team, full of cagey vets who hung around for "unfinished business." Somebody better tell them that, while they have talent, if they can't keep the puck out of their own net, their business is finished.
I don’t know what you expect Bob to do about the turnovers. It’s pretty clear he’s expressed it over and over but you can’t do something from the bench when your guys put it directly on the tape of opposing players, fan on passes, etc unless you’re trying to say he should bench someone (which he has done at times during games). As much as we loved Cooley and Knies up front last year, that team was led from the back and you can see they miss that calming presence back there. That’s on the players to figure that out and calm down back there rather than get flustered, force things, or flat out brain fart repeatedly as added pressure from the coach is only going to make the kids even more afraid to make mistakes. He’s tried pushing all the buttons and they’ve got to decide it for themselves or go down as a disappointing team who didn’t live up to the hype.
we all knew this team would have growing pains. You’ve dumped multiple forwards playing top 6 minutes and multiple defenseman directly into the league without bringing in a Cooley this year or having a veteran guy on the backend who’s going to be a Faber or (older) Lacombe. This team absolutely can still do it and win it all but we were fooling ourselves if you thought it would be the dominant team of last year. Just get in and we’ll let the chips fall where they will. No one will care what this team was doing in January if they’re one of the last 4 in April
this wasn’t a shot at you in any way. Just want to make that clear as well. But the Minnesota pessimism is flowing heavy right now. Win tonight, sweep next, and we’ll be in an alright spot
@upnorthkid - Well said. Turnovers are part of the game and will happen. It's how you react and play after a turnover that matters and driving my frustration. Backchecking is not an elective class.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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@upnorthkid - Well said. Turnovers are part of the game and will happen. It's how you react and play after a turnover that matters and driving my frustration. Backchecking is not an elective class.
that is 100% fair. Some guys definitely seem like they’re gripping the stick and hanging the head at times. Some of that may be lack of team success in a year they thought they’d be really good, but I’m hopeful you’re going to see some guys assert themselves as the leaders of this team. Snuggy being a bit more vocal and calling the team out a bit plus seeming to want to try will this team to win yesterday a bit was encouraging. Tonight will be very very telling
@streakygopher I completely agree on the puzzle piece, but last year I thought he was hard on the pucks and made more plays for the guys on his line. This year I personally am not seeing it. I don't need him to score a lot of goals, but he has the least points of the top 9 forwards. I hope he makes this post look silly in a couple months, but right now he is just not doing anything out there for me. He is doing good on the PK, which is not insignificant, but I would love for more assists and good o zone plays from him.
I’ve been critical of both Pino and Bob’s decision to continually play him but last night he and the fourth line were far from the issue. Would I like to see how a Strobel-Clark-Mittlestadt line fares? Yeah I would. But Pino was fine last night. I get the idea of playing the fourth line a little less but overall I thought they were fine last night. Who really frustrated me last night was the player leadership. The D corps should know better than to be making the mistakes they’re making and yet those mistakes continue to happen. I like Fish but two of those goals for CC are directly caused by unnecessary turnovers. There were times when Koster as well just seemed to hand the puck to CC. Chesley at times wasn’t much better. I get we lost three big time defensemen from last year but our current defensemen aren’t bad. But they are continuing to make just dumb mistakes. Also, I agree with Nevers being invisible but let’s be honest, that whole senior line was MIA last night. No forecheck, no urgency, no nothing. That line should be leading the way, if not in points then at least in effort and drive. Two fifth years and a senior should be out there setting the example for the rest of the team. Instead they looked pedestrian. They need to get it together and start playing like we know they can.
What has been wrong with Nevers this year? I thought he was playing wonderfully last year. This year, he is invisible to me. It hurts.
Nevers is a puzzle piece. He makes some good decisions and generally plays within his game, but he's not going to score much, which is very frustrating.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of players on this team who are just not playing up to expectations. Last night, Close was below average, but so were Huglen, Kurth, Nelson, Brodzinski, Koster, Chesley, and Fish. Someone mentioned that Minnesota didn't get any puck luck last night...pfft...CC hit two pipes while Minnesota's mistakes gave CC a couple of easy goals. CC figured out that the harder they worked the luckier they got.
I bristle when I hear a coach give the shoulder shrug and suggest the players have to stew in their own juices. I don't think Minnesota plays a responsible defensive game, and a lot of that is on the coach. Aside from barely beating upstart St. Thomas twice, this team hasn't had a sweep all season long--but they've been swept at Mariucci.
This was the year that it was Minnesota who had a more mature team, full of cagey vets who hung around for "unfinished business." Somebody better tell them that, while they have talent, if they can't keep the puck out of their own net, their business is finished.
I don’t know what you expect Bob to do about the turnovers. It’s pretty clear he’s expressed it over and over but you can’t do something from the bench when your guys put it directly on the tape of opposing players, fan on passes, etc unless you’re trying to say he should bench someone (which he has done at times during games). As much as we loved Cooley and Knies up front last year, that team was led from the back and you can see they miss that calming presence back there. That’s on the players to figure that out and calm down back there rather than get flustered, force things, or flat out brain fart repeatedly as added pressure from the coach is only going to make the kids even more afraid to make mistakes. He’s tried pushing all the buttons and they’ve got to decide it for themselves or go down as a disappointing team who didn’t live up to the hype.
we all knew this team would have growing pains. You’ve dumped multiple forwards playing top 6 minutes and multiple defenseman directly into the league without bringing in a Cooley this year or having a veteran guy on the backend who’s going to be a Faber or (older) Lacombe. This team absolutely can still do it and win it all but we were fooling ourselves if you thought it would be the dominant team of last year. Just get in and we’ll let the chips fall where they will. No one will care what this team was doing in January if they’re one of the last 4 in April
this wasn’t a shot at you in any way. Just want to make that clear as well. But the Minnesota pessimism is flowing heavy right now. Win tonight, sweep next, and we’ll be in an alright spot
This team has played all season like this, so I'll wait patiently for a different result.
My point about coaching is that this team specifically needs to play defense first and score on the transition when the other team gets careless. Part of that is forwards playing defense. Last season, time and again Close, Knies, and Cooley bailed them out and mistakes were covered up or forgotten. (In the game that mattered most, we saw the result of average goaltending and keeping Knies and Cooley off the score sheet.)
This team isn't talented enough to play like last year's squad and overcome their mistakes. They play run-and-gun pond hockey while giving up 6 goals (and two pipes) to CC or 5 goals to St. Thomas, not to mention the high shot count against other teams. That's the mark of a team that doesn't know how--or doesn't care--to play defense.
If I can blame the team for anything yesterday, it's that they let CC take the play to them in the second period. It was dreadful to watch the maroon and gold mail it in that period. These guys are young players, not professionals, but it would be instructive for them to watch the Wild. Even with half their roster out, they play a structured, competitive game most every night and make it difficult for their opponent to get to their net.
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but did anyone else notice that 3 or 4 CC players were skating around their defense zone while the Gophers lineup was being announced? I thought that was odd and disrespectful and I have never seen that before. I'm old school, and players should stand together on the blue line while the pregame stuff goes on.
Now get off my lawn.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
@frozen4champs I would agree that's disrespectful, and that's on the coach.
What has been wrong with Nevers this year? I thought he was playing wonderfully last year. This year, he is invisible to me. It hurts.
Nevers is a puzzle piece. He makes some good decisions and generally plays within his game, but he's not going to score much, which is very frustrating.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of players on this team who are just not playing up to expectations. Last night, Close was below average, but so were Huglen, Kurth, Nelson, Brodzinski, Koster, Chesley, and Fish. Someone mentioned that Minnesota didn't get any puck luck last night...pfft...CC hit two pipes while Minnesota's mistakes gave CC a couple of easy goals. CC figured out that the harder they worked the luckier they got.
I bristle when I hear a coach give the shoulder shrug and suggest the players have to stew in their own juices. I don't think Minnesota plays a responsible defensive game, and a lot of that is on the coach. Aside from barely beating upstart St. Thomas twice, this team hasn't had a sweep all season long--but they've been swept at Mariucci.
This was the year that it was Minnesota who had a more mature team, full of cagey vets who hung around for "unfinished business." Somebody better tell them that, while they have talent, if they can't keep the puck out of their own net, their business is finished.
Agree with pretty much all of this. Up to this point in the season, how many players have met or exceeded expectations? I don’t think it’s a long list.
Poor performance last night with huge gaps in the defense, giving them a lot of room to pass and make shots.
John Mittlestad played well, Pitlick, and the Lamb-Huglen-Kurth line showed some flashes of brilliance. Had higher hopes for Brodzinski this year for leadership (muscle, use your size to get the puck free). In high school everyone served the puck to him to shoot. He needs to think big and make a mess pile in front knocking down defenseman. Open up shooting lanes. Last night was just off. Poor passing, bad puck handling, defense was giving them room in our zone. CC is a good team, they got too much breathing room.
Tonight will be better, too bad the fans won’t be interested. I expect a really bad turnout.
I don't see it as Pino bashing as much as a point of curiosity why Pino seems to be a lock while 19 and 27 rotate.I guess if playing Strobel over Pino for a game or 2 will quiet the Pino bashing, I'm for it. To be honest, the 4th line isn't the issue.
At the risk of sounding absolutely toxic, I thought of this question while eating lunch and here is who I came up with. Snuggerud, Thomas, Rinzel, Pitlick, Lamb, Brodzinski (?), Nelson (?). I think that is my list.
Gophers wearing the new "golds" tonight.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
The defense has been woeful all year. How many times can they watch film yet do the same thing the next game? What else could it be if it isn’t a talent issue? Bob’s sounding like a broken record every postgame.
The problem with the forward group is theres zero consistency, and they can’t collectively string together a good game. Last night Snuggerud’s line and J. Mittelstadt was great. Yet, it felt like Huglen didn’t dress, and the Nelson line was MIA. The only good thing Nelson did last nigh was dump a player in the bench the first minute of the game.
I guess if playing Strobel over Pino for a game or 2 will quiet the Pino bashing, I'm for it. To be honest, the 4th line isn't the issue.
I am far more concerned about the play of the defense. As much as Pino get bashed, Fish should be right there with him. Does he get a pass because he is the lovable kid from St Paul? The whole unit continues to make stupid plays, seem to be late to get to the puck and turn over the puck with no support behind them. The biggest problem is this team doesn't have the fire power to make up for the mistakes they make. They better come out hot tonight. I still think this team has the talent to make a run, but the clock is ticking.
The 4th line is the issue because this team is NOT GOOD ENOUGH to have that line out on the ice 25% of the 5-5 play. So it is not specifically directed at the 4th line and their play. Instead, it is at the coaches decision to play them in a regular rotation.
The full 4th line should play 2 shifts a game.
If you really need rotation then throw a line of Clark-Pino-xxxxx were xxxx is a rotation guy from one of the top 2 lines. If you go back to the 2002-3 season, Lucia double shifted Vanek with Waibel and Fleming a lot.
I think in college hockey, especially playoff college hockey your line rotation should be 1-2-1-2-3-1-2-1-2-3. If the other team puts their 4th line out, which is a rarity, then perhaps match your 4th. We should want our best players on the ice as much as possible but Gopher coaches seem to operate at times like they are a youth association hockey team that is required by the Board to play all of the players with equal ice time.
The fact of the matter, in hockey the biggest game tactical level decisions a head coach makes is the matchup of players on the ice. I think our head coach and the one previous, throws whatever advantage in talent we have away with poor rotational decisions. Back in the olden days our #1 line had huge advantage over the opponents #1 line, and down the rotation (vs. most teams). In today's college hockey world, the incremental advantage of our top line vs. opponents isn't as significant. We can't continuously play like it is.
At the risk of sounding absolutely toxic, I thought of this question while eating lunch and here is who I came up with. Snuggerud, Thomas, Rinzel, Pitlick, Lamb, Brodzinski (?), Nelson (?). I think that is my list.
I run hot and cold on Nelson, because he has so much more potential. I would take him off list and add Jimmy Clark. Your list is very similar to mine.
Very excited for this!Gophers wearing the new "golds" tonight.
IALTO
It can be simultaneously true that the fourth line hasn’t been a net negative in terms of goals for/against and that they also play too many minutes.
It can be simultaneously true that the fourth line hasn’t been a net negative in terms of goals for/against and that they also play too many minutes.
And there is an opportunity cost of not giving your best players more ice time. Who is to say they won't score more goals or get in a better groove with more TOI.
I'm curious, do we have ice-time numbers for the team? It certainly seems like the 3rd/4th line are out there roughly as much as the top two lines, but are they really?The 4th line is the issue because this team is NOT GOOD ENOUGH to have that line out on the ice 25% of the 5-5 play.
B1G refs... corrupt, or just incompetent?
I'm curious, do we have ice-time numbers for the team? It certainly seems like the 3rd/4th line are out there roughly as much as the top two lines, but are they really?The 4th line is the issue because this team is NOT GOOD ENOUGH to have that line out on the ice 25% of the 5-5 play.
There is a service you can purchase who has the TOI stats, as Schlossman posts TOI stats weekly.
I know that this is non scientific research, but the 4th line center has taken a lot fewer face-offs than the #3 center. I know the number can be skewed by PP or PK face-offs, but it could be a rough indication of TOI. Most games Clark has taken 3-5 less face-offs than the next lowest center, so I would bet that the ice time relates to that percentage as well. But, people can and have made valid arguments on when they are on the ice, which is an easy eye test.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
A close up of the new Golds.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
They look like my 1974 sweatshirt. 50 years old now and still in good condition.
No Pino tonight...
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Pino sat for the first time ever
A close up of the new Golds.
Nice New win it all in St. Paul Golds!!!
Pride on ice is back starting tonight. I love it!!! Go Gophers!!!
Normally don’t buy jerseys but this may have to be the first. Awesome
Yes I want one too
Strobel gets one!! The Pino apologists in shambles (I am only mostly joking)
Why is the 4th line playing? 😉
Well that goal should sure make a few folks extra happy here. 😉
How did the linesmen miss that call? He is off sides by 3 feet.
Good thing we caught it and challenged it.
I honestly think there’s such a thing as being so offside that a linesman that’s hyper-focused on the line might miss it entirely. 😂
That goal would have come a month ago if Bob read this board more.Strobel gets one!! The Pino apologists in shambles (I am only mostly joking)
Snugs!! 2-1
19 seconds into the 2nd
SNUGGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!